Online Hub for School Bullying Receives Boost

The Federal Government announced on Tuesday two initiatives to help deal with school bullying.

The first initiative includes $4 million in funding to develop an online toolkit for teachers, parents and schoolkids. The second is a partnership with the States and Territories to use social media to engage with students about the issue.

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett made the announcement at the first national anti-bullying forum at Parliament House.

The forum brought together education experts, teachers, parents, psychologists and young people to discuss how to deal with bullying.

“We want to develop a ‘one-stop shop’ so everyone knows where to go for help,” Mr Garrett said.

The existing Government website, bullyingnoway.gov.au will be expanded to become the central information hub about bullying across Australia.

The new toolkits will include information for parents, resources for student support staff, a training module for pre-service teachers, and professional learning resources to help teachers and principals develop safe school policies.

“Today’s young people deal with issues and challenges that simply didn’t exist for their parents,” Mr Garrett said.

“It’s really important that we as a community send a clear message to bullies that their behaviour is unacceptable, whether it’s online or in the playground.”